Over the past eight months I have had the opportunity to work for the Bureau of Land Management in Rawlins, Wyoming. My position not only allowed me to work in the field of wildlife conservation but it also gave me the ability to experience the wide open spaces of Wyoming. \u00a0I was able to work with several wildlife biologists as well as the outdoor\u00a0recreation planner.<\/p>\n
My job at the BLM was a specific project looking at whether or not meteorological towers are the cause of avian mortality.\u00a0I was to go to my chosen met towers every day and survey for dead birds. Any birds that were found were recorded and all data collected was analyzed at the end of the field season. \u00a0Visual analysis was also recoded\u00a0for as many met towers as my partner and I could navigate to. The visual analysis was conducted in order\u00a0to see how far away we could see\u00a0a tower and its diverters. \u00a0This project gave me the chance to enhance my field and office skills. I learned fast how to drive on some rough and sometimes scary two tracks.\u00a0The only way to over come\u00a0your fears is to face them and I must say one of those was getting stuck in the field. I am happy to say that\u00a0I successfully avoided that!\u00a0Many mud holes and and water puddles were defeated. I\u00a0had a\u00a0 couple of great mentors and\u00a0a lot of support from other\u00a0employees in the office. I could not ask to work with a better group of people.<\/p>\n
The majority of my time with the BLM was independent field work and on occasion\u00a0with my partner, so if you are not a self-motivated person, this type of work is not suitable for you. Being a part of the BLM required a week long training. This training\u00a0gave me the chance to become CPR certified and learn the ins and outs of the BLM. That week also gave me the chance to meet other CLM interns as well as other BLM employees.\u00a0 Also, my time spent at the CBG training at the Grand Canyon was informative and fun. I was able to get to know the other Rawlins interns better and meet more interns. It was an experience I will never forget.<\/p>\n
Aside from my job I had most weekends off to explore the surrounding beauty of Wyoming and Colorado. I was able to enjoy fishing, hiking, geocaching and camping while in Wyoming. The wildlife alone was enough to make me want to see\u00a0more. Not only was I able to visit a handful of national parks but\u00a0 I had my first sighting of a black bear, badger, horned lizard, wolf, grizzly bear, golden eagle, and more. I learned that being in the middle of a wide open place\u00a0like Wyoming,\u00a0is truly an eye-opening experience. Although\u00a0it took a couple of hours to get\u00a0to any major city\u00a0I had a great time working in Rawlins and will truly miss Wyoming. Who knows, maybe I’ll be back.\u00a0 I believe that being able to visualize my internship is just as important as being able to read about it, so please enjoy all of the pictures that are attached.<\/p>\n
Anna Salinas<\/p>\n
Bureau of Land Management<\/p>\n
Rawlins, Wyoming\n\t\t